Angus Cloud, the actor best known for playing soft-hearted drug dealer Fezco O’Neill on HBO’s Euphoria, has died at age 25, TMZ and Variety report.
“It is with the heaviest heart that we had to say goodbye to an incredible human today,” Cloud’s family said in a statement to the outlets. “As an artist, a friend, a brother and a son, Angus was special to all of us in so many ways. Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss. The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend. Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence.”
The statement continued, “We hope the world remembers him for his humor, laughter and love for everyone. We ask for privacy at this time as we are still processing this devastating loss.”
For two seasons on HBO’s Emmy-winning teen drama series, Cloud brought Fezco—a trusted confidant to Zendaya’s Rue and promising love interest for Maude Apatow’s Lexi—to life. Production on a third season of the show had yet to begin at the time of Cloud’s death. “We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Angus Cloud. He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family,” the network and show said in a joint statement on Instagram. “We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time.”
Euphoria was Cloud’s very first acting credit. He was discovered walking down the street in Manhattan by a casting director for the show. Despite attending Oakland School of the Arts, he had no professional experience and was working at a restaurant in Brooklyn at the time.“Apparently, he was supposed to die in the first couple of episodes,” Cloud told The Hollywood Reporter of his character. Not only did creator Sam Levinson expand the role of Fezco, but also had him narrowly survive a shootout in the season two finale, which premiered last February.
Cloud had several projects on the horizon, including The Line alongside Alex Wolff, Austin Abrams, John Malkovich, and Scott McNairy; Freaky Tales opposite Pedro Pascal and Ben Mendelsohn; and an untitled Universal Pictures horror film from the directors of Scream 6.